If you want a clean, professional-looking screened porch without hiring a contractor, the Screen Tight Mini Track porch screening system is one of the easiest DIY screen porch kits on the market. The two-part aluminum system installs directly onto your existing porch frame, requires no staples or exposed fasteners, and can be completed in a single day on most porches.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: what comes in the kit, what tools you need, how to choose the right screen mesh, and a step-by-step installation walkthrough. If you are ready to get started, you can shop the Screen Tight Mini Track kit and all compatible screen mesh options at Metro Screenworks.

What Is the Screen Tight Mini Track System?

The Screen Tight Mini Track is an aluminum screen porch framing system designed for both DIY homeowners and contractors. It uses a simple two-part design: screws are installed directly into the wood framing of your porch, and the aluminum track channels snap over the screws using a rubber mallet. Screen mesh is then rolled into the track groove using a square spline and a roller knife tool.

Unlike traditional porch screening methods that use staples, wood trim, or exposed fasteners, Mini Track keeps all hardware completely hidden. The result is a sleek, low-profile screened porch enclosure with a polished aluminum finish that does not interrupt the look of your trim or architectural details.

Key features of the Mini Track system:

• Ultra low-profile 3/4-in x 3/4-in track in 8-foot lengths
• 100% hidden fasteners for a clean, finished look
• Powder-coated finish options: white, dark bronze, and black
• Compatible with new builds and existing porch frames
• Easy re-screening and repair — just remove the spline, swap the screen, and re-roll
• No staples, no exposed nails, no wood trim required

What Comes in the Mini Track DIY Screen Porch Kit?

The Screen Tight Mini Track kit includes everything you need to frame your porch opening. Screen mesh is sold separately, which lets you choose the mesh type that best fits your needs.

The kit includes:

• 8-foot aluminum Mini Track channels
• Mini Track screws
• Mini Track square spline
• Complete installation instructions

Screen mesh is not included in the kit. See the section below on choosing the right screen mesh for your porch.

Tools and Supplies You Need Before You Start

Before you begin your Mini Track installation, make sure you have the following on hand. Most of these are standard DIY tools you may already own.

• Screen mesh (sold separately — see mesh options below)
• Mini Track square spline (included in kit)
• Roller knife / screen rolling tool
• Chop saw or hand saw (for cutting aluminum track to length)
• Power drill
• Rubber mallet
• Level ruler or string line (for aligning screw placement)
• Utility knife or blade (for trimming excess screen)

A chop saw gives the cleanest cuts on the aluminum track, but a hand saw works if that is what you have available.

Choosing the Right Screen Mesh for Mini Track

Metro Screenworks does not include screen mesh in the Mini Track kit so you can choose the mesh that fits your situation. The system is compatible with all standard fiberglass screen mesh. Here are the options we recommend:

No-See-Um Screen

Best for keeping out the smallest insects, including gnats and no-see-ums. A good choice for porches near water or in humid climates where fine insects are a problem.

BetterVue Invisible Screen

BetterVue has a finer, darker weave that nearly disappears at a distance. It provides excellent outward visibility while still blocking insects. Best for porches where an unobstructed view matters most.

Pool & Patio Screen

A heavier-weight mesh designed for high-exposure outdoor areas. Good for porches near pools or in environments with higher sun and moisture exposure.

Standard Fiberglass Screen

The classic choice. Reliable insect protection, good airflow, and the most affordable option. A solid choice for most porches where no specialty features are needed.

For contractors or larger porch projects, contact Metro Screenworks to request a bid for bulk mesh orders.

How to Install Mini Track: Step-by-Step

Mini Track installation follows three main steps: attach the screws to your porch frame, snap the track channels over the screws, and roll the screen mesh into the track. Here is a full walkthrough of each step.

Step 1: Attach Mini Track Screws to Your Porch Frame

Start by marking your screw locations on the wood framing of your porch opening. Use a level ruler or string line to keep the screws aligned — this is the most important prep step, because misaligned screws will make the track channels sit crooked.

Screw placement guidelines:

• Place the first screw 2 inches from each corner of the opening
• Space remaining screws every 8 to 10 inches apart, evenly distributed
• Pre-drill your screw holes to prevent splitting the wood
• Do not overtighten — snug is enough
• Test fit a small piece of track over a screw before committing to the full installation

Important: Mini Track is rated for a maximum of 40 square feet per screened-in section. If your opening is larger, divide it into sections using an intermediate framing member.

Step 2: Snap the Mini Track Channels Over the Screws

Once all screws are in place, cut your aluminum Mini Track channels to the correct lengths using a chop saw or hand saw. Cut cleanly and measure twice — aluminum cuts easily but there is no adding length back.

Installation order:

• Install the left and right vertical channels first
• Align each channel over the screws and snap it into place using a rubber mallet
• Once the vertical channels are secured, install the top and bottom horizontal channels
• Check that all four sides sit flush and square before moving on to the screen

The snap-over design is what makes Mini Track fast to install and easy to remove for repairs later. No glue, no permanent adhesive — just the track over the screw heads.

Step 3: Roll the Screen Mesh Into the Track

With all four track channels in place, you are ready to roll in the screen. Use the Mini Track square spline and your roller knife tool to press the spline into the track groove, which locks the screen in place.

Rolling order and technique:

• Start with the top horizontal channel — roll the screen into the top groove first
• After the top is set, roll in the two vertical side channels
• Finish with the bottom horizontal channel last
• When rolling the bottom, pull down gently on the screen to create slight tension as you roll — this keeps the screen taut and wrinkle-free
• Once all four sides are rolled, trim any excess screen with a utility knife or roller knife blade, cutting flush against the track edge

Work slowly on your first section. The spline should press firmly into the groove and hold the screen without tearing it. If the screen puckers or bunches, remove the spline from that section and re-roll.

Mini Track Installation Tips for Best Results

A few things that make a difference on the finished product:

• Use a chalk line or laser level to mark screw locations. A string line works but a laser is faster on longer runs.
• Cut all your track pieces before you start snapping them in. Dry-fitting the full frame first helps catch any measurement errors.
• Fiberglass screen is easier to work with than aluminum mesh for first-time installers. It is more forgiving when tensioning the bottom.
• If a section of screen needs to be replaced, just pull the spline out, remove the screen, and roll in new mesh. No need to remove the track.
• For openings near the maximum 40-square-foot limit, consider adding a center divider to split the span and keep the screen taut over time.

Why Choose the Screen Tight Mini Track Over Other Porch Screening Methods?

There are several ways to screen a porch. Here is how Mini Track compares to the most common alternatives:

• vs. staples and wood trim: Stapled screen requires wood trim to cover the edges and staples, adds visual bulk, and is harder to repair cleanly. Mini Track hides all fasteners and takes minutes to re-screen.
• vs. pre-built screen panels: Prefabricated panels require precise sizing and often leave gaps at corners. Mini Track is installed on-site and conforms to your exact frame dimensions.
• vs. retractable screen systems: Retractable screens are higher cost and designed for openings where you want the screen to disappear when not in use. Mini Track is a fixed, permanent system and is significantly more cost-effective for full porch enclosures.
• vs. hiring a contractor: Mini Track is specifically designed for DIY installation. Most homeowners complete a single-opening installation in a few hours.

Shop the Screen Tight Mini Track Kit at Metro Screenworks

Metro Screenworks carries the Screen Tight Mini Track porch screening system in white, dark bronze, and black powder-coated finishes. All compatible screen mesh is available separately so you can choose the right mesh for your porch before you order.

Not sure which mesh to use? Request a sample before committing to a full roll. For contractors or multi-opening projects, contact our team or submit a bid request for volume pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mini Track Installation

How do I make my own porch screen panels with Mini Track?

Install Mini Track screws into the wood framing of your porch opening, snap the aluminum track channels over the screws with a rubber mallet, and roll the screen mesh into the track groove using square spline and a roller knife. That is the full process. No staples, no wood trim, no exposed hardware.

Can Mini Track be installed on an existing porch?

Yes. Mini Track is designed to work on both new construction and existing porch frames. As long as your porch has exposed wood framing in the openings, Mini Track can be installed directly onto it.

What is the maximum opening size for Mini Track?

Mini Track is rated for a maximum of 40 square feet per screened-in section. For larger openings, add an intermediate framing member to divide the space into sections at or below the 40-square-foot limit.

Can I replace the screen without removing the track?

Yes. To re-screen, simply pull the spline out of the groove, remove the old screen, lay in new screen mesh, and roll the spline back in. The track channels stay in place. This is one of the biggest advantages of the Mini Track system over stapled or trim-mounted screen installations.

What screen mesh works with Mini Track?

Any standard fiberglass screen mesh works with Mini Track. Metro Screenworks recommends No-See-Um Screen, BetterVue Invisible Screen, Pool & Patio Screen, or standard fiberglass depending on your needs. All are available on our website.

The Screen Tight Mini Track porch screening system is one of the most DIY-friendly ways to create a screened porch enclosure. With the right prep work, the right screen mesh, and the three-step installation process above, most homeowners can complete a full porch in a single day. Shop Mini Track and all compatible mesh at Metro Screenworks.